Greater New Orleans

Bar Tonique

Tucked into a less-touristy end of the French Quarter along North Rampart Street, Bar Tonique serves up a lengthy list of cocktails, ranging from punches to slings to "true cocktails," often using house-made syrups and sodas. In the afternoons and early evenings, the bar attracts a mix of well-dressed locals and the occasional visitors who have done their research on New Orleans cocktail culture.

Late at night, Bar Tonique becomes the hot spot for service-industry workers coming off busy shifts at French Quarter bars and restaurants. Tonique is known for cocktails, but the bar also offers a thoughtful wine list; a small, but well-chosen selection of craft beers; a dizzying list of liquors; and likely the city's most extensive menu of crafted nonalcoholic "temperance" drinks.

The dim lighting and over-sized horseshoe-shaped bar create an inviting atmosphere for tapping into the variety of drinks. The bar recently acquired a new crew of bartenders who seem to be adapting quickly to the popular spot while working from a revamped menu. In November 2014, Tasting Table recently named the spot one of the nation's top cocktail bars. This comes just a few months after the bar was named one of New Orleans' five best cocktail bars by NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune.

The bar strives to keep a lengthy whiskey list in stock, including rare and unique bourbons. Keen-eyed enthusiasts can sip on the bar's annual allotments of George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare and Pappy Van Winkle, among other highly sought-after small-batch whiskeys. Favorites include Four Roses Single Barrel and Rebel Reserve bourbons. On Tuesdays, the bar offers whiskey flights for patrons interested in learning more.

As for whiskey-based cocktails, the bar serves up classics like the Sazerac and Old Fashioned, often featuring quality bourbons like Rittenhouse Rye and Evan Williams Single Barrel. A rotating cocktail list also includes newer creations centered around the dark spirits.

Tip: Visit the bar from noon to 5 p.m., when a half-dozen cocktails are $5 each.

Location: 820 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, 504.324.6045.

Open: Daily. Parking: Street.

Prices: Beer, $4-$6; wine, $7-$9; cocktails, $8-$10.

Crowd: French Quarter residents, service workers, the occasional tourist or two.